The annual BIO conference is the preeminent global biotechnology industry conference, and this year’s edition in Boston was no exception. More than 18,000 participants from 67 countries gathered at the three-day event – global companies, academic centres, patient groups, researchers and investors working to advance innovation in key areas such as drug development, brain health, digital health, oncology, opioids, renewable fuels and agriculture.
Brampton partnered with the Ontario Investment Office at the Ontario pavilion to connect with industry leaders on the exiting strengths and potential Brampton offers. Brampton representatives were pleased to be accompanied by Dan King, Director, Business Development, MDA Maxar Technologies, partnering to promote Brampton’s investment opportunities to many audiences and global and local contacts.
Mayor Jeffrey spoke at the Ontario luncheon to over 175 international guests, and also hosted an investment breakfast for 12 US and Canadian guests and discussed sector development strategies and investment goals for Brampton. Guests included Mass. Life Sciences, Tufts University in Boston, Merck USA, Abbvie, BioTalent and Life Sciences Ontario. The feedback was that Brampton is taking all the right steps in building a world-class life sciences cluster and ecosystem – focusing on talent development, marketing the City and its sector assets globally, and having a specific focus on wellness and prevention.
Staff continued discussions with a large global pharmaceutical company and toured their research and development lab in Boston with their senior management team. In addition, Brampton was hosted at a leading academic institution, Northeastern University, and learned about their role in developing partnerships with the private sector in setting up incubators and life science training programs. From 20 pre-qualified meetings, and 17 new contacts from the trade show and networks, staff have now identified an additional 3 new company leads that have expressed an interest in Brampton.